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A few months ago, my editor sent me the mock-up for my coming September book, HOW TO CAPTURE A COUNTESS. I love getting the first peek at the covers of my coming books as it’s one of the few parts of my job that don’t require me to really DO anything; I just think of up potential cover elements and send them to my editor in a “It would be nice to have these things” email, and then I sit back and wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Eventually, she emails me a copy of the new cover, which I usually proceed to ohhhh and ahhhh over, but this time I didn’t. This time, to be blunt, I was a bit disappointed. Why, you ask? Because the hero looked a lot like the same, pudgy guy who delivers pizza to my house — very kind looking, certainly, but slightly balding and not really the sort of heart-breakingly handsome man I had in mind for the dashing Earl of Sinclair.
Here. I’ll show you what I mean. Here’s the original cover my editor sent me:
Like I said, it’s not bad. But the hero just didn’t DO it for me. I mentioned this to my editor and over the next few days I was sent a series of cover revisions.
At first, they moved the guy up in the picture until the top of his head was cut off. I think they were trying to hide his baldness, but honestly, it just made things worse.
Next, they moved the male model more to the left, which made it look as if a pair of oddly unattached arms was helping our heroine back into her shoe.
Finally, they tried to ‘gray’ him out, which made him look like a ghost.
All in all, I was not pleased. And I very gently and very kindly let my editor know. She told me she didn’t think any more changes could be made, but she’d ask. Meanwhile, I tried to tell myself that it was okay and that readers never look at covers, anyway. (Hey, I was desperate, ok?)
Fortunately, about a month ago, I got an email from my editor and it had this attached to it:
Yup, Pizza Man is gone and in his place is the sexy and dashing Earl of Sinclair. Now THAT’S more like it!
Do you pay attention to covers? Will a super sexy guy on the cover of a book make you pick it up faster than if it sported a picture of a balding, pudgy pizza delivery guy? Have you ever bought books just because you liked/loved a certain cover? Have you refused to buy a book because of a cover? What sort of covers do you hate? Which do you love?
106 Comments on “The Cover Ranger Rides Again! (Hi ho, Silver!)”
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To be honest I don’t care about the cover as a rule, I am one of those people who are all about the blurb and author. I can’t wait to read it Karen, well that is provided that I am not pregnant and even if I am I would still get it anyway. I just need to keep it out of puking range with the whole morning sickness thing.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:35 am.
Kelly, I hope you’ll like it. I buy books first on author and then plot, BUT I have to admit that I do love a good cover. It doesn’t have to have the hero or heroine on it — I like concept covers, too — but if the people on the cover look odd or ‘off’ in some way, I’m a bit pickier about what I want in the blurb.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:45 am.
Haha, Karen. I am on my phone reading this, so when I scroll and get to the cover I expect to see a version of Jason Alexander or Danny Devito!:) I will say I probably wouldn’t buy it if they were on the cover. Oh my…am I shallow? A good looking man does attract me to a book, but it doesn’t make me buy it. I usually don’t buy books on the cover alone. I have to like what the book is about also. I’m pretty certain I have never refused to buy a book because of the cover. I don’t really know if I hate any covers, maybe some older ones, or ones where the heroine looks like she’s clueless. I’m a landscape, or good looking guy on the cover sort of person. I also like a cute couple, or a romantic moment (hand holding, etc.). Animals are okay, too. See, I’m not too hard to please! Yours looks awesome! I didn’t think the first guy looked bad, but bachelor number 2, er…Earl number two looks much better!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:56 am.
Kelly, very interesting! I’ve bought books with bad covers before, so I’m with you. But I’ve also bought books simply because I did love the cover so … hmm, I don’t think that’s shallow, but appreciative of good cover art. At least that’s how I want to think of it!
And no, #1 wasn’t bad, but he really does look like my pizza guy. VERY much so.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:47 am.
I thought I didn’t care about covers but that first one says somebody in the art department was phoning it in. Pizza boy woulda as just WRONG.
Covers don’t need both h/h on them but when they do, make it work the effort.
Beautiful final product and I can’t wait to get it in my hot little hands.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:42 am.
Thanks, Fresh! Yeah, when they moved him up until his hair no longer showed and he looked as if he *might* be bald, I was worried. But I must say, the art department did right by the cover — I love the final product!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:22 am.
Hmm, I think he bears a passing resemblance to a certain Mr Jackman…?
That was my first thought anyway!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:28 am.
Angharad . . . ohhhh yesssss!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:22 am.
Sadly, as it makes me seem so shallow…I do pay some attention to the covers in that if they are really, really bad…I usually can’t bring myself to buy the book. A certain bestselling writer who now only publishes in e format uses her assistant on her covers. Stop. It. Please. Love her books, the covers…shuddah…haven’t been able to buy any more since I’ve seen them.
Now do the all important question. Do I buy based solely on the cover? No. I do read the back of all the books I buy to see if the story is going to suit me.
So the cover is important but if I read the back and it loses my interest…back on the shelf Prince Charming.
I like both earl’s honestly, but I don’t have a pudgy pizza delivery guy to compare it too.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:41 am.
Pesky, that’s pretty much the route I take. And maybe it is shallow, but hey, it’s my fun reading time, so if I want to be shallow, then so be it.
I think perhaps I was so against the first cover only because he really, seriously looks like my pizza guy. He’s a fine looking man on his own, although the second cover is far more to my liking.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:36 am.
I pay a lot of attention to covers, just in a looking and seeing sort of way. I don’t think I’ve ever bought or not bought based on one, but that’s probably because I’m so familiar with how little an authors have to do with them and how often the book does not resemble the story. Sigh.
One of my favorite books of all time–Lord of Scoundrels–originally had an atrocious cover. Didn’t matter.
I’m more likely to pick a book up and look at it based on something different rather than the super sexy guy. Also because I see/look at so darned many of them.
Yours now looks fantastic, Karen! I love the shoe on the floor, the necklace, the dress. And he isn’t bad either.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:41 am.
Lori, I admire the artwork of book covers. I always have. And yeah, the covers don’t always resemble the book. My earl, for example, is a dark blond, but they would only give me a hero with brownish hair. Why? Because someone at some time – probably in the 1940s – said, “Blond heroes don’t sell” and well, there you have it. :-/
I love Lord of Scoundrels, btw, but I couldn’t tell you what cover it has. I’d read that book if it had a newspaper cover. It’s THAT good!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:55 am.
I usually don’t pay too much attention to the cover. No matter how beautiful the cover is, if I don’t like the theme of the book I don’t buy it. What drew me to the first cover was the heroine’s shoes. I wouldn’t mind a pair of them.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:59 am.
Sandi, I looove those shoes, too! I wish they’d put more real-life historical touches on the costumes used on covers. My first cover had my heroine dressed like a 1880s saloon girl. It was soooooo wrong.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:57 am.
If it was an author I hadn’t read before, then the cover would certainly draw me to the book. However, I have my go to authors, and would buy the books no matter what the cover looked like. I would probably have a little giggle over your pizza delivery guy, but I would know that the book is going to be awesome, so who cares what the cover looks like.
It bothers me when the H/H book descriptions don’t match the cover models.
My favourite type of cover is like the one above, or with just the heroine in a beautiful and colourful dress.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:12 am.
Amy, I need to warn you that the hero’s hair is actually dark blond, so don’t be disappointed in the cover because they gave him ‘light brown hair.’ (Or so they called the color when they sent me the cover art.)
But my hero IS this handsome, so I am going to have to say that except for the fact that I wanted his hair lighter, he’s exactly the sort of handsome that I envisioned.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:59 am.
I have bought books because of the cover before. I love handome guys on cover and romantic embraces on covers. I don’t like the covers where you see the hero with half a face or from the neck to the waist pictures.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:15 am.
Gail, there is a LOT of headless cover art nowadays, isn’t there? I wonder why that trend started?
I love it when they show clothes, too. Give me a gorgeous gown or a man wearing some great boots and I’m a happy camper!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:00 am.
The cover doesn’t rule when I buy a book, I will say that if the cover models don’t match the description (basic stuff like hair color) I get peeved. It shows that they (the people who do the covers) didn’t pay attention to the actual text inside the covers :p A lot of times, back when I actually used to GO to a book store, when wandering around looking for new books the cover would catch my eye and I’d be introduced to a new author. So covers do matter to a degree. They generally don’t matter if it’s an author I regularly buy though.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:16 am.
Jen, actually it’s not that the art department doesn’t know what’s inside the book, but they’ve been told that certain hair colors don’t work — like my blond hero here isn’t very blond in this picture. He’s dark blond in the story, but still — this isn’t blond.
They also don’t like to do a hero and heroine with the same hair color because they can look too much like brother/sister — or so they told me. In truth, if they do look like a brother/sister, that would be creepy, so I can sort of understand that.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:03 am.
When asked, I’m not too into the cover models of today. The whole lay-out just doesn’t do it for me. I’m the type of person that likes a mansion or carriage on the cover, but those styles have passed. However, I would totally wear those shoes. But, you were right. Good for you for sticking to wanting a guy with hair. Guy #2 looks a lot more roguish than Guy #1.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:19 am.
Guy #2 has a great expression, doesn’t he?
I do wish the cover models today had chest hair. The art department doesn’t do chest hair because they say that when they draw it, it just looks like a dirty chest. That would be off-putting, wouldn’t it?
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:04 am.
I agree about the chest hair….looks dirty in pictures, but is nice to have that texture in real life
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:50 pm.
So get this. I’m going to all the B&Ns in my area to sign Sorority Sisters and B&N has this “thing” where the autographed sticker can only go on the upper right corner or the lower right corner. Upper right covers the photos of the girls. Lower right covers up my entire last name. So I say, “Can’t we put it in the middle? Where there’s nothing?”
No.
I am in a dither—-what to cover up?
And the B&N sales clerk says in a snarky voice, “You should know better than anyone that covers aren’t important. It’s what’s INSIDE.” And then I snort and say, “You and I both know that covers are hugely important.”
I mean really. Everyone knows that covers are the first thing that grab your eye.
My hat is off to you, Karen Hawkins, goddess supreme. You fought the Cover War and you WON! This cover is a huge improvement and this guy is gorgeous and I love that the heroine is now wearing a killer necklace. She’s a countess. She should have jewels dripping into her cleavage. Actually, we all should.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:28 am.
I loved the necklace, too! I also liked the slight change in the color of the gown and the fact that they showed a little more of her forehead. I thought it brought warmth to her face. And, goddesses that we are, we absolutely should have those jewels….
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:52 am.
More jewels, please.
I like the color much better in the second. There’s more contrast and warmth to it, too.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:14 am.
What? B & N has a sticker policy? I never knew that. I just slip in, sign the stock, put my sticker where it doesn’t cover anything fun, and leave. I’ll be sure I continue to sneak in, now that you’ve told me about their sticker policy.
I love the new cover. The necklace addressed my other concern, which was the color. It adds a nice touch of color and livens up the whole picture. Such a simple thing, and yet it added so much!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:07 am.
That’s so weird! I’ve never been told this sticker policy. I think you got some weird stickler woman who is following a made up rule. Sheesh!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:28 pm.
I usually go author first. I have bought books from authors that were unknown to me simply based on the title and the cover because that’s what piqued my interest enough to pick it up in the first place. I picked up a book called The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning before I had ever read any of her books before simply because of the gorgeous back and shoulders draped with a plaid…then I realized it was a series of Highlander stories and I looked for the first one and got hooked. Her books can be a bit on the racy side for some, but they’re great stories! If you want to check them out, Beyond the Highland Mist is the first.
I basically go on author and plot line first, but I really like interesting covers. They don’t necessarily have to have a hot hero on it (although it doesn’t hurt!), I like the ones that places or objects also–a misty countryside with house in the background, certain flowers, etc.
Definitely liked the second cover photo better than the first. The first made me think of a snobby and dull, albeit likely wealthy, guy you would find in a modern country club setting rather than a sexy and dashing Earl…
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:45 am.
Julie, I know Karen Moning and love her work. VERY sexy is right and oh, so much fun! No one does time travel better.
I like all sorts of covers. I’d hate it if they all looked the same. There is too much cover-copying now as it is.
You know, the guy’s lack of expression in the first didn’t help things. He DOES look snobby — thank you for putting that into words. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t really know why.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:09 am.
I thought the first one just looked like he didn’t really want to be there–almost like he’s pouting or something.
The second one…now HE looked like he was thinking, ‘Yeah….you know you want me!’ with that confident little ‘half smile’ thing.
Thought he had nicer bone structure as well….strong jaw, patrician nose, etc.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:59 am.
I wonder if Earl #1 was just photoshopped into the picture because he isn’t even looking at the heroine, is he?
But Earl #2 def does the trick. And you’re right – his expression is MUCH better.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:20 pm.
I’m horrible….I don’t look at the covers much at all.
I just look for the spine that says my authors name (yes ma’am–I always look for yours!).
Part of the reason I don’t pay much attention to them is when the publishers would change the cover on a re-printed book–and I would buy the book again only to find out I had already owned it/read it. After doing that a few times I rely more on the descriptions–makes me pay more attention.
However–I think your cover is beautiful, and will admire it when I see it on the shelf in the bookstore.
Have a great day!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:56 am.
Haley, thank you for supporting my books!
Btw, as a reader, I HATE buying a book and finding out it’s a reprint. I always try to write a forward for my reprints so that people would know up front that it’s not new. It’s so annoying, isn’t it?
I’m glad you like my new cover, though!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:10 am.
I think covers matter. Yes, I have bought a book just because I liked the cover, and yes I have not bought a book because I didn’t like the cover. But when it comes to authors that I have read and loved before, I generally forego focusing on the cover because I know that what’s inside is fabulous.
The covers that I don’t like are the ones that don’t match the characters in the book. I don’t like it when the heroine is supposed to be blonde but the cover has a brunette, etc. I also don’t like it when the hero is supposed to be a 28 year old male but the cover has a 40 year old on it… and that goes for the heroine, too. I’ve seen covers with what look to be 35 year old woman on the front when she is supposed to be 21.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:04 am.
Cheri, that annoys me, too. I once bought a book with a heroine who turned out to be VERY young, but looked — as you pointed out — about 30 on the cover. It’s a good way to give a reader Buyer’s Remorse, isn’t it?
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:13 am.
Love the cover, Karen!!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:14 am.
I love it, too, although I wish it had a bolder color scheme. Other than that, I can’t complain!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:22 pm.
Love the second cover, Karen. So glad you weren’t coerced into the first one. That first model looks as if he were sixteen.
Most of my books now are pre-ordered auto-buys, so the cover doesn’t really matter. But when I was buying from a brick-and-mortar store I loved the step-back covers. Most were gorgeous. Also, most of my books now are for my Kindle, although I will complete series with print books. I especially love hardcovers for my thriller authors. I don’t remember a book that I didn’t buy because of the cover although I’ve seen some I wouldn’t have purchased anyway. At some point all my books will go on my Kindle because I’m running out of space to store books.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:22 am.
dbrown, oh, I miss the stepbacks. They don’t do them much any more as they’re more expensive. But they were such fun — like a secret peek into the book.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:23 pm.
I only notice really bad covers, like the ones where the ‘hero’ is reaching out staring at the reader, or other such ridiculousness. Otherwise, i don’t really look at them, especially now that I read on my nook. I was also expecting far worse for your earl in the first picture, but I could see how he 1, wasn’t your type, and 2, doesn’t really seem like a historical hero. I think he would do better on a contemporary cover.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:31 am.
I had the worst cover on the one book I published at Dorchester Publishing, which is now defunct. I rewrote the book and it’s now MUCH ADO ABOUT MARRIAGE, but here’s the original cover and title:
http://www.amazon.com/One-Lucky-Lord-Wink-Kiss/dp/0505523639/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340130226&sr=8-1&keywords=one+lucky+lord
Sad.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:24 pm.
Ok, honestly, I don’t think I would have bought that book! But the one with the new cover and title, well, I already have!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:39 pm.
Wow. I just laughed really really hard. I can’t believe that made it into consideration! That’s exactly what I was talking about.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:10 pm.
A good cover is vital. Sure, there are loyal readers who will buy based on your name alone, but there are always readers out there who haven’t discovered you yet, and the cover helps get their attention… or not. Congrats on getting your dream Earl! He is certainly dashing!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:38 am.
Exactly, the cover’s crucial for garnering the attention of new readers and letting your other readers know you’ve got a new book on the shelves.
I do love the new guy. He has hair!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:26 pm.
I do love cover art – check out some amazing work at https://www.facebook.com/JonPaulRomanceArt – I love my kindle because no one can judge what I’m reading by a cover.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:46 am.
Christy, I LOVE Jon Paul! He’s done some of my favorite covers, too.
You’re right about the Kindle keeping people from knowing what you’re reading, though. You have to love having some privacy!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:38 pm.
Wow, those are amazing! I saw some blonde guys in there too!
He should paint more redheads though….
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:35 pm.
I am generally not into the covers. However, I am very observant and notice when the description of the hero does not match the individual on the cover. For some reason this really ticks me off. I find it harder to make myself look at the cover when reading an e-book however, and usually won’t bother. Your books are always GREAT – can’t wait to read this one!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:56 am.
Kathy, thank you, but I must warn you that my hero has dark blond hair and this guys is light brown, so be prepared!
I think you’ll enjoy Lord Sin, though. He’s a wag, and I do so love a wag.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:39 pm.
When I go to a ‘real’ store, I first check the authors that I like. After that, a great cover can grab my attention but the blurb on the back will make the buy.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:03 am.
Philomena, I’m the same way. I read ALL of the back cover blurbs, but a good cover will draw me in.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:39 pm.
I do pay attention to the covers. I tend to like concept covers best, then ones that involve great swoops of lush fabric with the H/H entwined in it somehow (I’m a fabriholic as a quilter, so that’s a given). While a handsome man is a nice element, he needs to look at least marginally sentient. For example, I could never get into Fabio covers because it always felt to me that he would be so self-involved he wouldn’t have emotion left for the heroine, and he looks like he doesn’t have two brain cells to rub together (he may have a PhD, but he doesn’t look it in his photos). My favorite man look is a handsome, stern-jawed warrior type, regardless of his garb (although kilts are amazing). Smart, tough and gorgeous, in that order. Your second guy looks strong but has a softer expression, more like he’s involved with the woman. The first guy looks distant. Is there a scene in the book where he puts her shoe back on her? Or is that a random image? I like it when the image references the story. I confess, though, that the author and blurb are what get my attention the most, followed by reviewers on Amazon.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:21 am.
Susanna, I’ve never been a Fabio fan, either. He really did have that Conan the Barbarian look. Not good for me.
I think the Earl #1 looks a bit distracted, too. I’m not sure why, but he does.
I wrote a put-the-shoe-back-on scene, but now I can’t remember if we kept it or if it went to the cutting room floor. Hmmm. I might have to re-read the final version tonight and see!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:43 pm.
I didn’t think the guy on the first cover looked that bad, but I do like #2 much better.
Personally, I buy by author first, story/summary second, and cover last. I’m glad to be out of the 80′s where all the women were half-dressed and swooning, with big hair; but I don’t really like the trend with the headless people either. I really prefer the covers with objects or landscapes from the story. I have yet to find a hero or heroine on the cover that looks exactly the way I had pictured them from the story.
I do appreciate the costuming when it is accurate, though, since I’m not very knowledgeable about period clothing.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:36 am.
It’s not that Earl #1 looks that bad, it’s more that he looks like my pizza guy. So it’s not his fault at all, but mine. Still, I do wish they hadn’t slid him up so high that it appeared that he was bald. What’s with that?
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:44 pm.
Actually, Guy #1 reminded me a little of Matt Damon. I wasn’t thinking bald, just high forehead. Which, I guess, means receding hairline in a few years, and bald eventually. I agree, though, that he doesn’t look as pleased to be putting her shoe back on as Guy #2. Well, Guy #2 looks more like he’s planning to take the other shoe off LOL. And ahem, he is admiring her, er, necklace.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:32 pm.
Covers are part of the draw to the book.. If it has got a handsome man on the front you cant bet I am going to pick it up…but it has to have a good story for me to buy it…Of course with some authors it doesen’t matter. If they are on my auto buy list, well it goes without saying that the cover is going to great… This one being no exception…
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:49 am.
Kathleen, thank you! I’m love the cover art work. If I could, I’d set up a gallery at my house just for some of the book covers that I love.
I’m with you, too — some authors are auto-buys, but I’ve found plenty of great authors from being intrigued by their book covers.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:02 pm.
In general, I don’t look a lot at the cover of a book – unless it’s a romance, and then I very much prefer the Earl of Sinclair to Pizza Man!
To be honest, the only time I have a very good look at a cover, it’s the time my editor sends me the one for a new book – and then the jury decides if it’s good enough or not (the jury being my sister and I).
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:52 am.
Nickie, lol! A committee of two, eh?
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:03 pm.
This could have been a fun game of listing the differences btw the 2 covers. Everyone’s comments pointed out so much more than the change in the dude that I didn’t see this am. Either way, get here September so we can start this series.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm.
I should have done that!
Did you see where they fixed the shoe, too? It had an odd gouge in it in the top one, on the toe area, but it has been fixed in the bottom one. Also, the gown had more color and the background is a much warmer tone — oh, there really are tons of differences!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:01 pm.
Oh this cover is SO MUCH better. I can see why you did not like the first one, the hero did not match the Heroine, and in this one yeah just the right match.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:42 pm.
It’s AMAZINGLY better! I’m so happy!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:04 pm.
I tend to buy books by my favourite authors. I do look at the covers of books and if one ‘grabs’ my eye then i will read the blurb. i have been known to buy a book because the cover has caught my eye, some of those books are good and a few have ben rubbish!!
Love the new cover must make a not to add it to my TBB list:)
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:54 pm.
It’s the ‘grabbing’ part that’s so crucial for getting new readers, so I worry about each and every cover I have. This one is very pretty, but it just doesn’t have much UMPH to it. But it’s still muuuuch better than the first one, so I’m happy!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:08 pm.
The new cover is so much better Karen. Great job pushing for improvements!
The cover is very important. It doesn’t matter much with authors I already read & love. I’ll pick up their books no matter what, but with an author I’ve never read the cover is the first thing I notice. There are so many books out there a cover needs to catch the eye. It also helps me make a choice with a new author if there is a quote on the cover from an author I do read recommending the book. A few times I’ve picked up books just because an author I love recommends them.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:18 pm.
Exactly! It’s a way to stand out among a bunch of new releases — which is sometimes tough.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:08 pm.
I will not lie, I have bought books because the cover has caught my eye. It has introduced to some great new authors, your wonderful work is included. When I seen the cover for “Much Ado About Marriage” I fell in lust with the cover, I mean he is HOT. So because of that cover I found and feel in love with your work. (I mean after the MacLean series who in their right mind would not be hooked, right?) My pet peeve is when the cover is completely off on the looks of hero and heroine. I had one where the hero lost an arm as a child, but on the cover he clearly had 2 arms. So I was like “well who is he and why is all over the heroine, and why isn’t my hero running a sword through him?!)
So to me yes covers count. And while cover 1 was a good try, the 2nd man is a LOT better.
Can’t wait for it to come out!!!!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
Oh, Paula, thank you! Much Ado was the very first book I ever wrote, so it will always have a very special place in my heart.
And I’m with you on the two armed hero — if he’s one armed in the story, then b’gosh, he should be one armed on the cover!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:09 pm.
Well covers do matter.. it’s one thing that I regret that I don’t see by having a kindle… So glad the first cover got fixed… that guys looks about 14..and kinda like a shoe salesman.. But I LOOVVVEE those shoes.. glad those didn’t disappear!!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:11 pm.
Cate, he does look wayyyy too young, doesn’t he? But then he’s a pizza guy by night, so … heehee!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:23 pm.
Even before I read your blog I saw the first cover and thought “they moved up his head in the hopes of cropping off his receding hair line.”
In my pre-writing days covers meant everything. I was a big impulse buyer.It wasn’t so much I said “yes” due to a cover as I did sometimes say “no” due to some.
I am impressed that you shared the cover journey with all of us. The world will NEVER see the first cover for my next book.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:26 pm.
Madeline, I’m just so happy with the final results that I had to share.
(I’m going to pester you in private to see that first cover of your next book. Just warning you now!)
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:23 pm.
1st cover guy is looking into her eyes. The second cover guy is checking out her necklace (or clevage).
Covers are important to me, I sometimes buy a book for the cover. But, as others have said, the cover must match up to the characters in the story or I’m disappointed.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:29 pm.
Linda, I do wish they’d do more blond heroes on covers, but they don’t. It’s too bad, isn’t it?
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:36 pm.
I can understand why dark hair works best on a cover, even if the hero is blonde; my personal preference is for redheads, but that would be *really* hard to do right on a cover.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:23 pm.
Now I keep going between the 2 pictures to check out the differences. Her hair is longer in front on #1. I guess because there is no necklace !?
I have to admit I look at covers. I have picked up books from authors I haven’t read on the cover alone, then I check out the back to see what the story is about. I don’t have to have the handsome hero to buy the book, case in point is Lori Fosters Savor The Danger. While he might float someones boat, he just doesn’t do a thing for me. In fact the first 3 in her series weren’t men I found appealing( I found book 4 much improved) but I like the series so I have them all.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:27 pm.
Pamiam, I hadn’t noticed that, but I think you’re right and they had to ‘cut’ her hair to make room for the necklace.
I love Lori Foster’s work, too! They’re very intense, aren’t they?
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:38 pm.
I do pay attention to covers….I’ve bought books just based on the cover picture. Some good, some not so good…
If its a fave author of mine, I’ll buy the book no matter what cover it is, however, when reading, sometimes I like to peek back at the cover just to look at the hero/heroine, in the midst of a scene, etc. If they are attractive, thats good.
Congrats on the new cover!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:32 pm.
My friend’s son writes horror and he’s had some real stinkers as covers. Usually he can get them improved. It’s interesting to hear the author’s perspective. I usually read the story line, but I’m sure the cover is what inspires me to pick up the book. It’s okay to be shallow—how else would we know the serious people, if not for the contrast!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:11 pm.
I’ve seen some super bad mystery covers, too. I have a friend who writes those and oh, how he complains — and rightly so.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:39 pm.
This is a very timely post. I am in the middle of reading “The Taming of a Scottish Princess” and I was planning to write you about the cover. You describe the hero as blue-eyed and the heroine as brown-eyed more than once but guess what color eyes they have on the cover! It’s the reverse and it’s driving me nuts! The male model is pretty hot though so that’s a good thing. And I am loving the story, not that that is unexpected!
As it happens, I have been involved with the Cover Cafe cover contest for the last several years and we regularly discuss the current cover trends amongst ourselves and on the site. We don’t like headless either. I’m strictly a gorgeous-guy-with-long-hair- and-muscles-and-no-shirt fan (in fact, if it weren’t for Fabio I’d never have picked up a romance novel in the first place, being an English major in college and a literary snob until then). I think landscapes and flowers are a waste but will accept them if there’s a stepback or the back cover showing a gorgeous hunk. I collect books with gorgeous guys on the cover and I own “One Lucky Lord” because, while it’s not his best cover, that is John DeSalvo and I collect his covers. They’re my own little works of art. And the cover art is as good a way as any of finding good new authors (as well as bad ones sometimes).
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:07 pm.
Karen, well, I gave them the right eye color, but they don’t always pay attention. Like I said, in the book above, the hero has blond hair, but this is as close to blond as they’ll take this cover. The sales people say blond heroes don’t sell, and so there you go.
I love the Cover Cafe contest! It’s so much fun. I like a mixture of things on covers — some of the concept covers are really good, too.
Btw, John DeSalvo is a fabulous cover model, and such a nice guy, too. He’s one of the few models I’ve met.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm.
There is a painting with John DeSalvo on Jon Paul’s FB page, as a Roman warrior type, and I can see why you’d collect his covers. That’s an awesome picture of him.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:41 pm.
MUCH better!! I’m glad they listened to you! Although I can’t imagine why anyone would think that the first one is okay. Sheesh!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:25 pm.
Tell me about it. I just knew I was stuck with Pizza Guy and I’m so glad someone in the art department — bless their heart, whoever they are — took the time to fix it.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:43 pm.
I do look at covers and will pick one up to read the blurb if I don’t know the book or author. I am careful with covers also though as some of them are a bit too “showy” for me–they show too much of the guy/girl and then I have a hard time reading it in public. When my kids were little it was even more difficult. I tend to like the concept art covers more than the people covers. I like to come up with what the characters look like from their description in the books. If it’s a pudgy pizza guy then it throws me off the story–hard to get the visual out of my head and into my own imagination.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:48 pm.
Diane, I’ve had some issues with covers that were too showy, too. They aren’t as bad as they used to be back when I first started reading, thank heavens, but they can still make you feel uneasy!
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:18 pm.
I am definately drawn in by attractive covers! Likewise, I usually won’t pick up a book with a cover I don’t like. I usually do equate the characters with pictures on the cover, so it is good that you got that changed! For the historical romance, I like it when you have the “clean” version on the front and a sexier picture of the couple on the inner flap.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:00 pm.
Sharlene, I love the step back covers, too. They don’t do as many of those as they used to, but I really love them!
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:31 am.
I’ve bought dozens of books because of the covers.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:26 pm.
Me, too. And some of them were so good that I went out and bought the author’s other books, too, whether I liked the covers or not.
One thing I wish they would do is write on the front of the book if it’s a series or not. That would be nice to know.
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:32 am.
Huh, I did not mind the hair on the first cover. I did wonder if his hands matched.
I do like the yellow tint to the dress.
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:59 pm.
Tina, the yellow in the dress is perfect, isn’t it? The color on the second one is so much better — I love the romantic feel of it.
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:33 am.
Wow – I finally get to sit down at the computer. I do check out covers for sure. If the guy’s really hot, I definitely give the book a second look. But there are some books that I just can’t buy because the covers are just awful – same thing with titles. There are some bad ones (covers and titles) out there that remind me WAY too much of the romance novels that my grandma used to read.
I definitely like the second guy better. His face is SO much more masculine. I LOVE her necklace. As a jewelry designer, I do wonder where are her earrings, though.
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:09 am.
So glad you found the time to join us! I’m glad the old ‘ravished’ looking covers aren’t often found nowadays. I like the more dignified covers.
Btw, I love the necklace detail, too. It keeps the gown from looking bridal, which it’s not. And yes, where ARE her earrings? ?????
Janae, do I owe you a t-shirt? Seems like I do, but I can’t find your email anywhere. If I do, can you resend me your address?
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:38 am.
Yeah, you do. I’ll email it to you.
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 11:13 am.
Hi Karen,
I wanted to let you know that I started reading romance books again when I saw the covers of Jill Myles “Succubi” books. I have never stopped after that. I have a Nook too, but I tend to look at the books in the store, and a good cover will go a long way with me!
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 1:05 am.
Cahrlene, I’m going to have to check out Myles’ books. Seccumbi, eh? Sounds intriguing.
I’ll be back when I see them. Hang on …
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:38 am.
Ohhh, those are very mysterious and sexy. I’ll have to get one and give it a read. Intriguing!
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:40 am.
SEXY SELLS!!!
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:45 am.
AMEN!
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:39 am.
Covers grab my attention makes me pick the book p to read the jacket blur so new cover much better!,!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 2:50 pm.